The Bremerton City Council will consider whether to ask voters to raise property taxes about 19 cents per thousand of assessed value.
On Wednesday the council could send the issue to the November General Election ballot.
The Bremerton Beat If it's about Bremerton and happening now, it's on the Beat. Written by the Sun's Josh Farley.
I support this initiative. This and the car tabs will significantly improve our city streets and parks. $.19/$1,000 isn’t that much, considering the benefits.
Either way you do feel, please come to Wednesday’s Council Meeting and express your opinion. When the Redlight Camera issue came before us not one opinion was given by the Public either for or against it.
Now we are being pressed by the deadline to get it on the November Ballot and I personally would like to hear more from citizens testifying in person.
Remember that the question will be “should this Parks Levy Lift go on the November Ballot for a vote of the Citizens of Bremerton?” Questions about your recent housing assessments are the responsibility of the County Assessor Jim Avery (360)337-7160.
The City Council Meeting will be 5:30pm Wednesday at the Norm Dicks Government Center on 6th Street. Please note that the council may postpone the final vote until August 8th to get more information.
Thanks for the post Adam. I will really try to be there for this and other reasons.
Colleen Smidt
Adam,
Are these parks for the use of people who live in Bremerton only? NO, they are PUBLIC parks.
So why must the people of Bremerton be taxed to fix up parks that anyone can use?
Why can’t you get with county/other cities and come up with a fair plan to increase the taxes of everyone to maintain all the parks in the county?
After what the Port of Bremerton did, taxes are out of control.
How do other incorporated towns handle the tax base on public parks?
Generally county folks use county parks…however… if the city park is big enough county people will use it.
Who pays the tax on the new waterfront Bremerton park? I hope the entire county pays…many certainly use it.
What you are talking about here are the small neighborhood parks used primarily by the neighborhood.
Few county voters would vote to tax themselves for city neighborhood small parks.
… in my opinion,
Sharon O’Hara
Greg,
You wrote, “This and the car tabs will significantly improve our city streets and parks.”
Please enlighten me on how this will significantly improve our city streets and parks.
What is the grand total of the levy increase?
What does that grand total buy?
How long will the levy last?
I ask because I’m paying more for water, sewer, port services, et cetera.
I sat in on the City Council study session where the “Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI)” was formally unveiled by the mayor and staff. I agree in principle with the need to pump resources into our neighbhorhoods but I disagree on the priorities outlined in the NRI.
Phase I of the NRI calls for the acquisition of land for parks. This is not NECESSARY at this time to ensure the sustainability of our EXISTING infrastructure. I prefer to have any revenue raised intially be applied to fixing our streets, installing traffic calming and repairing our sidewalks to make ALL of Bremerton PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY.
Phase I also calls for more money for code enforcement. I agree with the need for code enforcement BUT this should be put off until a later phase.
I have spoken before the City Council on my concerns over the priorities of the NRI as currently proposed. I would like to see this $40 million, six year program, tackle the most pressing infrastructure problems facing our city.
Roy Runyon
Candidate,
City Council District 4
My thanks to Mr. Runyon and the other citizens of Bremerton who came to last night’s City Council Meeting to express thier views. By my count, the comments ran 9-2 in favor of putting the measure on the ballot.
For those who didn’t come last night, you’ll have another chance on Wednesday, August 8 at 5:30pm. Thank you.
“…Phase I of the NRI calls for the acquisition of land for parks. This is not NECESSARY at this time to ensure the sustainability of our EXISTING infrastructure. …”
Not necessary? We have to look LONG TERM what is best for Bremerton.
It is imperative that we buy land for parks before we lose them, before they are destroyed. To buy them NOW. To wait is to lose.
“Phase I also calls for more money for code enforcement. I agree with the need for code enforcement BUT this should be put off until a later phase…”
Code enforcement ‘put off until a later phase’ ?
Code enforcement ensures the home you buy, the building structure you enter has been built according to the most current building code.
…”…lack of enforcement. of the South Florida. Building Code. (Source: FEMA 1993) …. Earthquake and fires killed 3000 people and caused $524 million in …
http://www.fema.gov/library/file;jsessionid=120618F212B0D7052B06BDBD58868D17?type=publishedFile&file=fema_31...
…”
Some builders are against building codes and have been known to take short cuts – unsafe structural shortcuts.
The best builders take pride in their homes and buildings and build to the most current safety features of the state and county building code.
Building code inspections MUST NOT be ‘put off’ … people’s lives are at stake – maybe your own!
…in my opinion,
Sharon O’Hara
Sharon, I attended the City Council meeting on Wednesday. What Roy is referencing is code enforcement that pertains to the NRI which has to do with garbage removal, property clean up and small repairs. Not existing structural or new construction, code inspections.
I encourage all community members to attend City Council meetings when they can. My 6 year old son was with me and managed to sit quietly through all 3 hours of the meeting. He even asked a couple of questions regarding what he was hearing that surprised me. I was happy to answer him. Real life civic lessons starting at age 6. If he can do it, so can everyone.
Colleen Smidt
Sharon,
Collen’s correct…and I meant to state that the “Code Enforcement” portion has been reworked into the “Community Improvement Program” to remove it’s punitive connotation and change its focus to helping residents, especially the elderly, disabled and poor, clean up their properties. I believe Councilman Mike Shepherd initiated this positive change to the NRI Phase I.
Colleen, your son was the perfect gentleman during the meeting. I hope my “protest” over the focus of the NRI, Phase I, showed him the importance of presenting ones opposing view against even a majority of opponents.
Roy Runyon
Candidate,
City Council District 4